After Jean and Kaeya left, Sucrose grabbed Shen Qin, eager to head back to the alchemy workshop. She was eager to finalize the bionic prosthetics.
"Slow down," Shen Qin said, laughing helplessly as he stopped her. "Before that, we need to visit the Adventurers' Guild."
Sucrose blinked in confusion. "Why there?"
"We need to find a volunteer willing to help with our experiment."
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When Katheryne saw them, she greeted them with her usual cheerful demeanor. "Mr. Shen Qin, Ms. Sucrose, how can I assist you today?"
"Do you remember our last conversation?" Shen Qin asked with a smile.
Katheryne thought for a moment, then tentatively replied, "About the disabled adventurers in Mondstadt?"
"Exactly. We're working on a new alchemical invention and need a volunteer—an adventurer who's missing an arm or a leg. I was hoping you'd help us find someone suitable."
Katheryne shook her head firmly. "I'm afraid I can't assist you with that. The Adventurers' Guild has a policy of protecting the privacy of injured adventurers. I'm not permitted to share their information."
Shen Qin was surprised by the guild's dedication to its members but nodded in understanding. "That's fair. I can respect that. But is Guildmaster Cyrus in today?"
"He's in his office upstairs. I can take you to him if you'd like."
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Meeting Cyrus, Shen Qin wasted no time explaining his request.
Cyrus hesitated for a moment before replying, "As a rule, I wouldn't want to disturb their current lives. But I need to know: What kind of experiment are we talking about? If there's any risk of harm, you should leave right now."
Shen Qin and Sucrose exchanged glances before explaining their work on bionic prosthetics.
"You mean to tell me... you can create prosthetics that fully replace their lost limbs?" Cyrus stood up in shock. He had heard of advanced alchemical technologies capable of such feats, but the costs were usually astronomical, far beyond what most adventurers could afford.
Shen Qin assured him they planned to keep the cost just above the production expenses. At the projected price, most disabled adventurers could afford the prosthetics. For those who couldn't, the Adventurers' Guild could provide subsidies.
Cyrus nodded resolutely. "I'll introduce you to someone, but I have one condition: When the prosthetics are ready for mass production, the Adventurers' Guild gets a priority batch, just like the situation with your flight tool."
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Cyrus led them to another room where an elderly man sat, his legs amputated above the thighs.
"Old Sam, your chance to stand again has arrived!"
When they left the guild, Shen Qin and Sucrose were accompanied by Old Sam, who was seated on a flying skateboard.
"Your invention has been life-changing for me," Old Sam said nonchalantly. "I used to rely on others to carry me around, but now I can get around on my own."
Sucrose said gently, "Soon, you'll be able to walk and run just like anyone else."
Old Sam shook his head with a wry smile. "I've been without my legs for over 20 years. I'm used to it. But if I can help create these prosthetics so others can return to normal, I'll be more than satisfied."
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After bringing Old Sam to the workshop, Shen Qin excused himself, saying he had some business at the Knights of Favonius. He returned half an hour later with a construction team that began renovating a nearby house.
"What's going on?" Sucrose asked, puzzled by the commotion.
"I convinced the knights to let me use some vacant buildings for a surgical center," Shen Qin explained. "We're going to connect the prosthetics using a semi-implantation method."
"What's that?"
Shen Qin sketched on a blueprint as he explained. "We'll implant a base into the body. The prosthetic will attach to the base using mechanical structures. Thus, we ensure stability while allowing easy removal and maintenance. Since the base is simple and durable, there's no need to worry about frequent replacements."
Sucrose's eyes lit up. "That's brilliant!"
Old Sam, however, winced at the thought of surgery.
───────
They spent the next few days designing the base and finalizing its structure. During a lull in their work, Sucrose hesitated before asking, "Hey, uhm, about that bet you mentioned... if it had gone through, what would you have asked of me?"
"Do you really want to know?" Shen Qin asked with a mischievous smile.
"I... I'm just curious," Sucrose said, her face reddening as she fumbled with her tools.
Shen Qin chuckled. "I was thinking of tricking you into becoming my assistant. Sometimes, working alone limits my ideas. With you around, everything feels easier and more refined—just like with the prosthetics."
"But I'm already Mr. Albedo's assistant..."
"You could take on a second job. My projects are only occasional."
Actually, I'd have agreed even without a bet. Sucrose thought to herself. Shen Qin's inventions were far too fascinating for her to resist.
By the fourth night, the prosthetics were complete. Sucrose went to bed, leaving Shen Qin to finalize the programming for their intelligent control systems.
As the fifth morning came, Sucrose woke Shen Qin early. They were greeted by Cyrus, Old Sam, members of the Knights of Favonius, and even Diluc, all gathered in the workshop.
"Let us commence." Shen Qin said, licking his lips nervously. Together with Sucrose, he carefully attached the prosthetics to the bases implanted in Old Sam's legs.